9 Career Milestones You Should Already Be Reaching in Your 30s

While each woman has her own career path, being more than a decade out of college means there are certain milestones that you should have gotten around to reaching. By this point, you already know what you want (and what you don't), or if you’re still confused about it, you’re handling the situation better than when you were in your 20s.

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Big or small, these career landmarks are signs that you’re mastering the art of “adulting” pretty well.

2. You know how to dress properly.

You’ve been to so many corporate and extra-curricular functions that you know exactly what smart casual, cocktail, formal, and black tie mean when you see them scrawled on event invitations. You’ve got your sense of style down pat, and you’ve learned to invest in classic pieces which you make you look classy and snazzy at both work and at play.

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3. You have a solid network of contacts that’s continuously growing.

You’ve gotten to know people through the years and you’ve done your best to keep those professional connections alive. It’s not even an issue of gamitan or abusing them when you suddenly need a backer for something: it’s about maintaining sincere and cordial relationships that can help all parties achieve their goals through ethical negotiations, familiarity, and trust.

4. You’ve learned to give and take feedback.

You’re done taking things personally at the workplace, and are quite open to comments about your work. You actually love getting constructive criticism since you now understand that doing so means that there’s still more room for improvement. You also enjoy shelling out advice to your peers which you know will help them, and you do it in such a way that you’re not stepping on anybody’s shoes.

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5. You’ve learned to steer clear of office politics.

Office politics and gossip will always be a thing, and while it’s pretty impossible to totally be rid of it, you try your best not to meddle with people who keep on fueling the fire. You keep a professional persona that garners respect and you treat your colleagues equally—no matter what you hear about them through the grapevine.

7. You know how to cover your ass.

You save important documents, letters, emails, private chats, and text messages which you think you may need in case all hell breaks loose and everyone is looking for paper trails. You always err on the side of caution, and you’d rather be over-prepared than caught off-guard. You’re organized but flexible, and you’re always aware of what’s going on around you.

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8. You’ve experienced leading people.

Whether you’re assigned to head a certain project or you’ve been promoted to a higher position, you’ve managed to handle people at one point or another. It was admittedly awkward the first time you did it, but you're slowly getting the groove of how it is to be a fair and responsible manager.